Women Empowerment Fund Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27 Projects Supporting Career, Health, and Community Development

Women Empowerment Fund invites 2026-27 first-round applications

The Women Empowerment Fund is open for the first round of applications this year starting from today (May 12) until June 11. The Fund subsidises projects that support women in balancing their career and family commitments, raise awareness of women's physical and mental health, and unlock their potential.

Set up in June 2023, the Fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation and background, to unlock their full potential in their respective roles, thereby promoting women's development in Hong Kong. From this year onwards, the annual funding for the Fund is increased to $30 million to strengthen support for women's development.

The Fund is divided into general and thematic projects. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. The two current thematic projects under the Fund include the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme and the Programme on Women's Participation in Community Services. The exchange programme will enable women to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of national affairs, and interact with local residents, thereby promoting women's development. Each exchange project shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $120,000. In addition, the community services programme aims to encourage women to make use of their own strengths to plan and launch community service projects, thereby promoting care and inclusion. Each community services project shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $400,000.

This year, a new thematic project, the Programme on Women's Career Development, will be launched. It focuses on providing employment-related support to women and empowering them to re-enter the workforce, make a career transition, and pursue their own careers. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year career development project is $500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively.

The Fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. The Guide to Application and the application form have been uploaded to the Fund's website (www.wef.gov.hk/en/index.html). Interested eligible women's groups and non-governmental organisations may submit an electronic or paper application.

Photo source: wef.gov.hk

Hong Kong Customs detects case of non-registered precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified transactions

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 11) detected a case involving a local company that conducted transactions of diamonds valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. The investigation is ongoing.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: AI-found images